WOYWW # 638

What's up all my crafty friends???  It's glorious #638 Wednesday!!!! Julia, your post really tickled me today because I do that ALLLLLL the time with my "real life" friends about my "online" friends and I KNOW they think I am bonkers!! Yea, yea, I've NEVER "actually" met any of you, but since 2014 or thereabouts, I have "chatted" with you almost every week....thereabouts.....save a hiatus or two.....hee hee!! I'd say that makes you ALLLLLL my "FRIENDS!" I feel like I know you, and talk about you all, like I "know" you, even though...I really don't! LOLOLOL But hey, who's keeping score anyway!!!  LOL  So if you too would like a GREAT online friend, you are sure to find one at Julia's Stamping Ground blog!! Come on over, link up and show us your crafty desk! :) 

My post today, will probably be a quick and LATE one because I am doing this from my "work" computer......sssshhhhhhhh!!! I caught the "I don't know what's wrong with my computer" virus from one of you!!! Yep, I know it's from one of you who has been having repeat problems with their computer/laptop!!! You passed that little illness on to me as I visited your desk!!! LOLOL  It's been coming on for awhile now, but my poor laptop is on strike!! I can't get it to do anything!! It is 3 or 4 years old, so that may be the problem, but I have brought it to work to let my IT guy look at it and HOPEFULLY I will not have to buy another one!! Send a prayer up for me to the computer gods in the server universe! LOLOL  So this will be a quick jaunt today!!

I finally got through with one batch of my ATC's and I'm starting on another for September swap groups. Since it's all the crafting I started on in August for August, I have NO excuse.....it will be early for September.  That will be a first, by the way! LOLOL Should get them all in the mail this week!!

September Swap ATC's

A little back story on these ATC's......if you will remember I have posted MANY times about my sweet Abby who continually brings me bouquets of flowers to my office.  I always forget to save a few and press them, but this past time, I saved a few.  I didn't actually press them because a light bulb went off in my head and I decided to pull the petals off and let them dry so that I could use them in my ATC project.  Now you can totally see by the vibrancy of these petals that they had been artificially dyed by the florist, because who has ever seen hot pink daisies?????? Whatever dye they used preserved the petals very well, so when they dried, they weren't crispy, so they stayed intact for me to use in this month's ATC's.  Pretty cool right???  The gift that keeps on giving! :)

Next batch waiting for goodies!

Here is the other set of ATC's that I am working on.  Not sure what I will do next but the hard part is over, so just have to come up with something "catchy" to put on them.  I'll share next week! On both sets, I used all the new products I got at the craft expo, if you will remember me sharing those when I came back.  I loved all the products and soooooo glad that I made those purchases!  

It's a start, that's for sure!!

I have started on the "bundle" of mushrooms felted piece that will hang next to the "big" one that I shared last week! I am really, really loving the felting process! There is something so cathartic about felting. Can't put my finger on it, but I love getting my hands in there and feeling the fibers and "controlling" where they are placed, etc..... Truth be known, it's "probably" all about the "control" thing!!! LOLOLOL Who knows!! Either way, I'm loving it.  I have a ways to go on this obviously, but wanted to share that I have at least started it! LOL 

All that said about my felting experiences has brought me to a "little thing I've done" that I want to share with you guys!!  I am going to go to Adult Camp!!!! Yippeeeeeee!!! At least that is what I am calling it!! I have wanted to do this for many years and fear and finances have kept me from doing it, but I am now launching out there in faith and for a growing experience!! There is a place up in a little town called Brasstown, NC called the "John C. Campbell Folk School." That place is AMAZING and sooooo speaks my language! It is right up my alley with down-to-earth, folky, hippie...ish, kind of folk like myself!! I can't wait to go! I am about to bust!! I tried to get on the roster for this fall, but I waited too long and it was a no-go.  So I have registered for a class in February of next year! It will be a week-long "needle felting & wet felting" class.  The instructor, Neysa Russo, is a well-known tapestry felter and I am soooo looking forward to meeting her and gleaning from her art style!! I've never done anything like this and I'm all giddy about it.  I encourage you to go look on the site that I've linked and check them out! They offer everything from basket weaving to blacksmithing and everything in between! I feel sure that I will have to go again one day and take another class...like weaving or glass blowing!!! Who knows!! Yayyyyy me! :)

Happy mail from my Swap Host!

Well, I will leave you with some happy mail that I received! Even though I didn't participate in this month's ATC Swap, my wonderful host STILLLLL sent me a precious card and an ATC from herself! She is so, so sweet and was so glad that I got to meet her at the expo last month!! She is always thinking of me with IG shout-outs or messaging me just to see how I'm doing! She's a fabulous host and friend! 

Please stay safe and healthy my friends!! You ALL are as dear to me as my "real life" friends so take care YOU!!!!

Blessings

WOYWW #637

What's up all my crafty friends??? When you miss a week, it feels like FOREVER and I get all discombobulated and can't remember what the week number is so I have to check and double-check and uggghhh, too much in my brain and it's INSTANT overload!!! LOL That being said, it doesn't take much!!! LOL So it's share time over on Julia's Stamping Ground Blog of what's on your digs desk and what's going on in your life!! Pop over and share with us! Sorry for my lateness today!

Soooooooo, I have been on hiatus and for good reason! It was FINALLY time for our annual mother/daughter trip with my sweet, sweet mama!!! It NEVER gets here fast enough and then it's gone in a minute!! So that's my excuse for not popping in last week, and it was a GREAT one!  We had an AWESOME time sharing, laughing, eating, loving on one another, and just basically having a blast! Fair warning, today's post is a little picture-worthy!!! Stick around if you like and I'll share my desk eventually!! LOL   So, below are photos of me and my beautiful sisters and mother at the coast.

Dinner outing at our fave pier!!

My two baby sisters Tara & Tiffany

Me and my older sister Tracy

Me and star of the show, Mommy!

Our dinner scene of the pier as we eat and listen to a GREAT band!

The Warf Restaurant - our FAVE!

Our fave place to be TOGETHER!

So, what's on my desk?  Well a mess to be sure and none of that mess is finished!  Truth out, I didn't get either of my swaps in the mail on time try as I did! I have been extremely busy with the trip and work is a fantastic nightmare right now.  We are amidst qualifying and getting ready for elections and boy howdy it's going to be a true show this election!!  We will literally have a fruit basket turnover with our Mayor and Council this time around and I am not looking forward to getting used to a whole new crew.  It has been basically the same Mayor and Council since I have been on board, with a few exceptions, so you know how we are creatures of habit.  It's exciting on one end, but nerve-racking on another.  So, blah, blah, blah, my swaps will just have to suffice for next month!! Ugggg, I hate NOT fulfilling my commitments, it goes against all my principles, but there you have it! 

Desk this morning - working on those ATC's!!

So here is the desk, just this morning with signs of my ATC swap cards that I was working on and will save for next month.  I was using a lot of my new goodies that I got at the craft expo! I am so enjoying using all that new loveliness! That justifies buying it ALL right?  LOLOLOL

It's getting there folks!

Next up is my almost finished felting piece!! Yayyyy! I have a few finishing touches to put on it, but so far, I'm happy with it!! It will be part of a two-piece show that I will frame and hang side by side.  I will start on the other piece this weekend, which will be a cluster of mushrooms. I can't wait!

Lastly, guys is some happy mail! I have, of course, searched ALLLL things felty and artists that have a style I like and there a few, but this lady, Moy Mackay, really spoke to me and I decided to get two of her books to educate me a little more on this wonderful craft.  I could look at these books every day, they are so filled with her beautiful work!

Well my friends, that should probably get me up to speed!! Plus I am sure you guys are tired of looking at photos! LOLOL  Here is hoping that this finds you ALL safe and healthy!! It's ramping up again folks, so PLEASE take care!!

Many blessings! :)

WOYWW #635

 Good Wednesday all my crafty friends!!  Well, we have come around again, haven't we?  Funny how these Wednesdays just keep coming!!  I shouldn't be so boastful.....we aren't assured another day.....so that being said, I am so very thankful for this "other" Wednesday! LOL  If you are too, come on over to Julia's Stamping Ground blog, get happy, and show us what's on your desk today!!!

First, up out of the gate, I want to show you some happy mail that I got! Since joining the felting community over on Living Felt, I have been going to the live show on Wednesday afternoon called Wooly Wednesday.  I can't go every week, due to my job, but I try to when I can because it usually has LOTS of tips and know-hows for a beginner like me. Last week, they had a fabulous felting artist on there who had a lovely story/testimony and was so glad to be able to attend.  Now, for those who are questioning my "work ethic," hee hee, yes, I am at work during that sacred hour, but I just have it going on one screen while working on another, hee hee.  Pretty clever aye? "Technically," I'm working, sheesh! LOL  Anywho, if you attend, they put you in a hat draw and could possibly win something! So.....two weeks ago when I attended, I was the winner!! Yayyyy!!! I NEVER win anything, so it was pretty cool!!

3D Project at the wait!

So this was my winnings! That week, they were actually doing this project on the show.  I still am not interested in doing 3D felting, however, this "appeared" to be a good "beginner" 3D project that I could do just to try it out.  I was very grateful for the lovely win and am looking forward to trying it out! Lucky me!!

Well, as per late, I haven't been very crafty due to MANY things going on in my life.  Since I am on the felting wave, I will go ahead and show you the progress, or lack thereof depending on how you look at it, of my mushroom project! I am still really loving it and so glad I decided to start this journey.  It really does feel like painting to me, just with fiber!!  I will continue on and hopefully soon, be able to show you the "finished product.

Slowly, but surely...hee hee!

Both of my ATC Swaps are due on the 15th, so my snail tail better get to crackin!!!!! The picture below is kind of staged because I am showing you the cards thus far, set out with the products I plan to use next on them.  You will remember I got these products at the expo.  Not sure how I will proceed, but those are the plan. I have a few ideas, but they always look great in my head!!! LOLOL I will show the finished projects, hopefully, next week! I got to get them puppies in the mail!!

Next step......hmmmm???

This will be a short week for me at work because this weekend is my annual mother/daughters trip to the coast!! Many of you may remember that my dear ma ma is wheelchair-bound and in a nursing home.  When she was active her "go to" was the beach!! She'd live there if she could.  So some several years ago, my sisters and I decided that we would make it an annual event to get her out of that cursed nursing home and take her to her beloved beach for the weekend!!  It's a challenge because we basically have to do everything for her, but its TOTALLY worth it to see her face light up and we all have giggles and fun!! Last year when we went when she got back, she had to be quarantined for 14 days because of COVID. So far this year, they have said she won't have to do that again.  But now that everything seems to be ramping up again, let's hope that remains true! That would have to be ghastly to be stuck in a small room for 14 days!! Lord!!!!!!  So looking forward to it and we are staying an extra day this time, so four lovely days with each other! Hope to have some photos to show!!

Well my friends, please do take care with this pandemic rearing its ugly head again!! Still no "restrictions" or "mandates" placed yet over here, so I am so glad we are getting to the beach before it all would hit the fan. By now, most of us all have our jabs and if you haven't, please consider doing so. Mostly the ones who are contracting now, at least in the states, are the ones that haven't had the jab. Blessings going up and out to you all!!!

Pip pip, cheerio and all that rot!! (love that phrase!! LOL)

WOYWW #634

Good Wednesday all my crafty friends!!! Here's hoping that you are having a wonderful day and week thus far!! Slip on over to Julia's Stamping Ground blog and share with us crafters what's on your craft desk today! :)

So, friends, the same thing is on my arty desk that was on my arty desk as last week.....NOTHING!!!  It is a sad but true story!! What's really sad about it is that I really need to be working on two of my ATC Swaps, but instead, I have been dealing with life here in this HOT southern state and have been noodling around with my newest crafty adventure...felting!!

So, when I went to Expo two weekends ago, I got on Google and searched out where there might be yarn/wool shops near where my nephew lived.  It's so sad guys because unfortunately here in the states, the big box stores have run off all the good little crafty shops.  What makes that even sadder is that the big box stores have not made up for doing that travesty by supplying us with what these treasured shops did. So it was a mad search and I found ONE in the area he lived! ONE!!!! Guys we are talking about Atlanta, the capital of Georgia!! Is that sad or what??? Now, of course, Atlanta is huge and I am sure that there were some elsewhere in the city, but as I said, Atlanta is huge and the traffic is AMAZING, so what would take 15 minutes to get to another shop somewhere else, would take an hour in Atlanta. So, NOPE, that ain't happening for this "hate driving in the city" driver! LOLOL

So anywho, I was specifically going to look for "wet felting" supplies. If you will recall a couple of posts back I received my 2D needle felting kit and some supplies in the mail to start my journey. While researching "felting," I found out that there was 3D, 2D, Wet & Nuno felting.  Well, like any good addictive-natured crafter, I MUST try it all!!! LOLOL  I really am only interested in the flat felting processes, but while attending a live show last week, I won a 3D felting kit! Go figure???? I NEVER win anything, but then I win the very thing I say I am not interested in!!!! LOL I will be giving it a whirl!! Stay tuned for that hot mess at a later date! LOLOL

Gorgeous Wool!!!

I found the cute little shop and they had such lovely yarns and wool!! I was seriously in heaven! I wanted to snap up some yarn as well, as I knit, but I had to stay on track and remember why I was there! LOL You ALL should be very proud of me! LOL They did not, however, have any wet felting supplies! I was crushed!! She said that they mostly did 3D felting in their classes and that's the supplies typically what they carried.  Of course, that didn't dismay me one bit, who was she kidding? LOL Seriously though, she was a lovely shop hostess and we had great conversation about felting, and knitting and such. I left there with a bag FULL of goodies, in case you were interested!!! LOL But you knew that right??? I got some yummy, yummy wool roving and gorgeous recycled silk sari.  I was so happy to get quite a bit for a good stash do just about any felting project I want to do without buying any more for awhile!! LOL I did get some various colors of wool for the kits I got earlier, but they were specific for those projects.

I'm in love with recycled silk sari!!!

In the above shot are the silk sari ribbon that I bought for "texture" for either the art felting or the wet felting that I will be giving a go when I acquire the supplies.  I also bought some beautiful wool substrate pieces to felt onto. I just got basic colors in those to not compete with my incompetency as a beginner!!!! LOL 

Beginner at work!

Lastly, and don't judge, is the beginning of one of my Mushroom Projects!! I must confess that I love it so far.  It doesn't look like I've gotten very far, but that took me quite a while to do, mainly because I didn't know what I was doing, but also because it felt like "painting" to me and so I was playing with colors and shadows, just like you do when you paint! I will definitely show you all when I am through. This piece will have a companion piece to hang beside it that will have more mushrooms gathered together in it. 

So, that's what's happening with me today folks.  I know that we ALL are experiencing some strange, odd weather wherever we live!!! The globe is erratic at best!  Between massive fires here in the states, to drought to amazingly hot/humid weather, to crazy cracking thunder storms which we have been having here in my state for weeks!! Then on top of that new surges of COVID!!! I wish you ALL many blessings, health and most of all safety!!

I didn't get around to all last week, I will try to do better today! Notice I said TRY!! LOL 

Blessings crafty friends!

WOYWW #633

Good Wednesday all my crafty friends!!!  Long time no see!! Two weeks to be exact!! It has been a blur, and some of it is not in a good way!! LOL Step on over to Julia's Stamping Ground blog and link up to show us what's on your desk and today, I will show you what's NOT on my desk! LOL

So, I don't have anything art worthy to show you because I haven't been able to do art for several reasons! Life always seems to get in my way! LOLOL  I was sick for most of the hiatus.  I had a bout of bronchitis that I just couldn't seem to shake. I had to go through two rounds of antibiotics to get it to move on. I'm still not convinced that it is completely gone.  With that misery was some lovely pleurisy! If you haven't had it, it's painful.  So, I'm coughing every two seconds and every cough feels like a knife stabbing my ribs.......yep, fun times! LOLOL  Mind you, being the procrastinator that I am, I probably could have nipped it all in the bud if I'd gone to the doctor sooner, but I simply HATE the doctor and I HATE taking medication! So this little ditty has been hanging with me for months. So hopefully this will be the means to the end! Fingers crossed! LOL

Then with that came our fourth of July holiday (short work week for me) and another family shower!  This time it was a baby shower.  Listen, I have lots of family and it seems someone is either always getting married, or having a baby......I just want to get off the merry go round!!! LOLOL It was fun and went off without a hitch, so hopefully it will be calm for awhile!

So round to what I will share today.  Last week was another short work week for me because I traveled to Atlanta for my very first Stamp Expo!!  Christine, who is the host of one of my swap groups, hit me up and wanted to know if I wanted to come up and go and, of course, meet her in person!! First off, I NEVER have to be asked twice about seeing art products and second I WISH I could meet ALL my online art friends!! SO YES!!!! LOL  I have family that live in Atlanta, so I was able to stay with one of them and it was great because the venue the expo was at was litterally right around the corner from their home! 

CW Crafts ATC Host Christine and I

Since I had never been to an expo before, I didn't know what to expect except I knew their would be art vendors! And boy howdy, there were MANY!  We got this bag as we went in and my host Christine, who has her own little side business, brought me this koozie she made for me with my name and Instagram name on it.  On the other side, it said Create, like the shirt she was wearing!  Wasn't that the sweetest thing for her to do?  I also got those pins from the expo. The one you got when you spent a certain amount of money.....ahem......I spent WAY over that amount! LOL I think I should have gotten two! LOLOL

Shopping Bag that was filled to the brim! LOL

Ok, so the rest are photos of the goodies I brought home! These aren't to boast or to gloat, they are meant to be a confession at how much willpower I DO NOT HAVE!!!! LOL  It may be a minute before I go to another expo! LOL

I went for stamps, but got that and then some!

The chipboard was irresistible!! There was so much
and I literally could have camped out there alone!

The rice paper at the top was DIVINE!! Stencils, paper and dots!

MORE stuff I couldn't resist....but I "needed" them! LOLOL

Last set of yumminess! Thinking of my fall projects!

I know that was a lot of photos guys, but I couldn't resist showing! I literally could have stayed there all day, and almost did!  The only disappointment was the Stamping Up vendor. I was really excited about seeing that one, and it just wasn't anything to write home about! BUT alas, the other vendors made up for it!!  I am not a Scapper, so a lot of it was geared toward that, but there was PLENTY other gorgeousness to be had!  It was wonderful getting to meet the person I send my ATC's to every month and I hope we can get back together! We were talking about a possible Crop within our state. We shall see!

Well all you wonderful crafters, I hope you all are doing well and trying to stay cool from that heatwave that Julia was talking about. It's been storming and raining here for weeks!! I think you guys traded with us!!! LOL  Oh, it's still hot and MUGGY, but we have your rain!!!

Have a blessed Wednesday!

WOYWW #630

Good Wednesday all my crafty friends!!  Can we all just say how QUICKLY this year is flying by? And.....can we all just say that we don't remember a thing about last year?  Seriously, it is a blip to me!!! LOLOL Not good, of course, but we will all "remember the year that "no one remembers" in history!! LOLOL  Is that an oxymoron?  LOLOL  Well, before we forget this week, jump on over to our fabulous host Julia's Stamping Ground Blog and share what's on your desk "this" Wednesday! 😂

So, what's going on at my crafty desk! A few things in fact.  I am working on my next sugar skull.  I am taking a little different route with this one, so we shall see how it goes!  It's always a leap of faith in the crafting world when we decide to do something different....I take A LOT of leaps of faith! LOL  I have so much fun doing these guys, however, so it's ok.  This is obviously in the very preliminary stages.  It usually takes a few days to get the base because of the base painting and then I think I alluded to this last week, but it takes a good day or two to draw what I want on base to paint. Note to self, and anyone else who is thinking of doing this, DON'T USE carbon paper (you know that stuff we used to have to put in between two sheets of typing paper to get a carbon copy...hee hee  This was before copiers were affordable!!! YES, I am that old!) to transfer your image!!! LOL  I feel like I have used it in the past, but had a different experience this time. It bleeds through the paint and doesn't come off easily when you try to erase boo boo's! I have now acquired graphite paper and we shall see if it makes a difference in the next project!! Who knows, it may be the same exact thing disguised under a different name! LOLOL

Let's see where this one goes???

I have also started the background for my July ATC's.  Trying to go ahead and get them in the mail before the 15th. We shall see! LOL

Independence Day here we come!!

Let's have a little Happy Mail share! I actually got this last 12th Anniversary ATC last week in the mail, but AFTER I posted for WOYWW! This clever ATC came from our very own Morti! She did a fabulous job on this ATC. The embre of colors, I love and the embossed WOYWW 12 all over was too clever! I don't know why I never remember to emboss more! She also included a lovely postcard from Cornwall, where she lives! Thank you so much Morti, I love it! 💓  Also Caro, if you are come round to my desk, email me your email so we can chat! 

Thank you Morti for a great ATC and Postcard! :)

This lovely batch is my June Swap ATC's that I received from CWCrafts Swap Group over on Instagram!  As always, there is no theme, but everyone always seems to come up with season-appropriate themes for their cards! I really enjoy doing these swaps!

I was blessed with these ATC Puppies!

Now, for the BEST happy mail that I received this past weekend!!! Hooray for felting supplies!! I am so stoked you guys! I simply can't wait to get started. The problem is I have these other things on my desktop that I need to get finished, so it will have to wait....sniff...sniff! I wouldn't be able to give it my full attention knowing I had other things to finish, so it will be just a little bit! I got one kit (the Mushroom) that I was assured was a good beginner's kit to start. And then I had watched a separate video by Marie at Living Felt that had my eyes filled with stars wanting to do that project as well. There is no kit for it (the Lavendar Fields photo peeking out on the right), so I had to buy everything separately. It was a wee bit pricey for all the batting, etc....but they give you ample and I probably won't use it all on this project, so I should have some leftover for another project as well.  All in all...YET ANOTHER EXPENSIVE HABIT I have fallen upon! LOLOL  Again, THANKS JO for heading me down that highway! LOLOL Truly though, I am thankful, I love ALL crafting and especially if it gets me out of my comfort zone! 😉

Felting Goodness Galore!!

Well, all my friends, that's about it for me today and I will do my best to get around to as many as I can within my workday!  Sometimes it's harder than other times! I love each and EVERY ONE of your crafty talents and inspiration! 💓

Blessings

WOYWW #629

Happy Wednesday all my crafty friends!!! So it is another beautiful Wednesday whereby we get to share what is on our crafty desks!!!!  Link on up over on Julia's Stamping Ground blog and share with so many other creative artists your amazing talent!

It has been a crazy busy week and a half as I feel like all I have done has been to coordinate receptions and meetings!!! LOL  Don't get me wrong, I love the creativity of doing that, but it's pins and needles until it's all over!  It's just like when you go on a trip and a mile down the road you get the "I think I forgot something" syndrome!!!!  I really think it's really all about making that good impression on the powers that be so that I can say that I have a job tomorrow!!! LOL  Today is my last meeting this week.  Our city is hosting the State's Municipal Gas Authority Board Meeting, so meeting planning, catering breakfast and luncheon, and then as always the CLEANUP!!!! Then, I can breathe! LOL And....maybe a glass of wine! LOL

So what's on my desk this week?  Well as I got all my swaps in the mail last week, I mentioned I could now finish up on Abby's Sugar Skull!! After getting a hint a day that went something like this...."boy, I sure wish I had a sugar skull to put on my wall..."  That little booger! LOLOL So, I had put her on the back burner long enough and finished it up!!

Abby's Sugar Skull!!

So what do you think guys?  I had fun with this one. It started out a challenge, in my mind, but then the further I went the more it came together! I already have another one my desk ready to sand and get the base coats on.  I think I will go a little different colorings on the next one, but I will give you a peek next week!

So that's it on my desk for this week guys.  Just getting that done feels like a miracle!! But along with a new skull, I will be starting my new set of ATC swaps for next month. Going to try to get a jump on things so I'm not the ninth-hour girl again!! LOL

Before I sign off today, I will let you all in on a little secret.......I will be starting a new crafty adventure! I am super stoked about it and can't wait to get started.  This is something that I have been researching for several years and have finally decided to take the plunge! It all started actually here on our WOYWW!!! Yep, that's right and with our very own Jo Betts!  She had some beautiful needle felting on her blog years ago that I just fell in love with! So, like any good crafter, I began researching the art.  I found out, of course, that it was Maxine's (Tea Tilly Dance) beautiful art and I contacted her on her blog and she was so gracious with taking time with me and answering questions, etc....  Well, years later, and a little more nerve to give it a try, I am FINALLY doing it! I have my first box of felty treasures coming in the mail within the next few days and I can't wait!!! I am so super excited!!

Maxine's beautiful work and my inspiration!

I KNOW, I KNOW, I don't need one more project on my desk, but it's a sickness I tell you.....hello my name is Felicia and I CAN'T STOP trying EVERY creative process known to man!!!!  I will be doing Art Needle Felting or Needle Felt Painting as some call it.  I'm not interested in the 3D figurines, etc...And I really think what drew me to the 2D felting was its similarity to watercolor painting.  The aesthetics of it, the flow of it, reminds me of watercolor painting.  I also want to try wet felting, but let's not put the cart before the horse! LOLOL  I will be sharing my journey, so get ready for wackadoodle show stoppers! LOL  Thanks Jo for sharing your daughter's lovely talent and Maxine for your creative gift and inspiration!

Happy WOYWW and blessings!

WOYWW #628

Good Wednesday all my crafty friends!!!! Life has marched on around to another Wednesday to share what we are working on!!  It has been a whirlwind, literally, over in my neck of the woods!! We have had the craziest weather!! Lots of rain, well needed I might add, but along with that rain has been some major storms.  One even brought a small tornado close to my home. It was a quick touchdown with no damage, but a whirlwind it brought!! But it lit a fire under me to get things done on my desk to share over on Julia's Stamping Ground blog.  Hopefully, you haven't had the same incentive as I have, LOL, but are able to come over and share with us what's on your work desk!! LOL

So as I said, It has been a whirlwind on my desk but I got both sets of my swap ATC's done and in the mail.  It was nothing short of a miracle! Both sets were due yesterday in different state locations, but they both skidded in on the ninth hour yesterday at both locations!!!  Miracles do still exist!! LOLOL I had the art gods on my side I tell you!! 

ATC's for CW Crafts Swap Group

ATC's for Amy's Art Alchemy International Swap Group

Neither group has a theme, which is good because oftentimes I think it restricts my creative thinking when I have to sweat a "theme!"  It's a catch 22 really because sometimes a theme takes the pressure off of thinking about what you have to do, so who knows really!!! LOL  But I'm a rebel at heart, so I'll go with the first thought! LOLOL  In both cases, however, I was trying to go with some sort of summer thought process so hopefully, it comes across to the recipient!!

Speaking of ATC's, I hope all of you over the pond folks have received my 12th Anniversary Swaps by now.  If not, blame it on our lovely postal service!!  I don't know if you have it any better over there, but it's a nightmare over here.  To be truthful it was a nightmare BEFORE Covid, so they can't use that blasted outbreak on their poor services!! LOL 

So what is truly on my desk as of last night?  Well, I am finally playing catch up with some of the projects I had tabled to do "life" things! My blasted life just simply gets in my ALL the time! LOLOL  My Abby had been wanting a Sugar Skull and I had started it a couple of months ago, but now it's time to finish it for that sweet patient girl!  So here's a peek at the midpoint.  I hope to finish it this weekend and be able to show you the final product next week.  She's so excited to be putting it on her wall.  She's like her mama.....very eclectic tastes! LOL

Skull in the process! He's coming along!

This skull is part of the group of pieces that my sister cut out for me several months ago.  You may remember I posted about them.  I only had her do about four of these guys, so I hope to do one along here and there.  I have been having fun doing this guy and really making it up and changing things as I go along. I did have a skull I found online that I used as a guide, but putting my own twist to it. I think the hardest part about these guys is getting the pattern on the skull. I have to draw it on paper first and then transfer it to the painted wood with a white charcoal pencil and then I can do my dot painting over it.  The good thing is the charcoal wipes off with water, which came in handy because the first time I transferred it onto the wood, IT WAS CROOKED!!! Lol Ever the perfectionist, I wiped it off and started over!!! LOL  It's still a little crooked, but it all has come together!

Speaking of my Abby, she struck again last week! She has a habit of showing up at my workplace flowers in hand!! She CONSTANTLY knows how to brighten my day! It's like she has a sixth sense because she always seems to show up when I am stressed and need a little love! LOL  Right now I am amidst planning a huge reception for our Mayor who will not be running in this year's election. He has decided to retire after three terms! He was on our Council before that, so he has been around for awhile! He will be missed. Along with that, I am planning for our big annual convention at the end of summer as well, so it's been crazy lately at work! So a little love from my baby girl is always welcome!

Abby strikes again! xo

Well my friends, here's hoping that everyone is enjoying their summer and it's not as hot as it is here in Georgia!  Our air condition went down in my home a couple of weeks ago and my landlord didn't see fit to fix it for about three days!! Let me tell you, summer heat and humidity in a home without air condition is the worst!! When I say that it's a blessing, that's an understatement!!! Cheers to you all and have a great Wednesday and blessed rest of your week!! Didn't get around to ANYONE last week, so making that a priority this week!

Blessings

WOYWW#627

Happy Wednesday all my crafty friends!!  I'm coming round to share the hot mess on my desk this morning and to link up with all you amazing crafters over on Julia's Stamping Blog to see your digs as well!! If you somehow miraculously found yourself here come on over and show us your digs as well! LOL

Well my friends, I am at home today a little under the weather.  It has been coming on me for a couple of weeks, but as I am a sho-nuf never want to go to the doctor kind of girl, I have put it off until I just can't take it anymore.  My self-diagnosis is pleurisy because I have had it before and if you have had it, you KNOW that it is quite painful!  I have been "managing" it with home remedies, but I think I started the self-managing too late and now it has rocked on to the point that it hurts to have a bra on! You KNOW it's serious when the bra hurts!!!!! LOLOLOL  Although, to be quite honest, I hate wearing that contraption anyway!! I mean, I get why they invented it, but I'm all about freedom! LOLOL

So here is the hot mess I call my desk this morning. I am working feverishly to get my two sets of ATC Swaps in the mail and to their destination by the 15th.  I'm still behind from all the fun and festivities and vacay for several weeks.  The price you pay right????  Mostly it's all bits and pieces and LOTS of glue everywhere because I'm just like a kid when it comes to the glue, I get it EVERYWHERE! LOL  But you can see the one set of ATC's I'm working on in the middle and then to the left are the other set drying on the backside.  I will post photos next week after I have sent them off.

Speaking of sending off........all of my UK Swappers will be happy to know that I FINALLY got your swaps in the mail and they are coming your way!! I do not claim to know how over the pond mailing goes so your guess is as good as mine!! LOL But hopefully you should get it by the first of next week.  I do have a couple leftover so if anyone still would like to swap, I'm happy to do so. Better late than never, I say! LOLOL

And for more swapping news, I received ALL my lovey ATC Swaps from you beautiful UK crafters!! I was so stoked as each and every envelope arrived!!!  So below will be MANY photos of all the gorgeousness!!  As I have discussed before, I STINK at photo taking, so each and every piece was MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL than these photos!! One day, I will learn how to work my phone! LOL  So now, in no particular order, my goodies!

Beauties from Zsuzsa!!!

First up is the gorgeousness from my long-time craft friend Zsuzsa!  I am fortunate enough to have other beautiful goodies from Zszusa from past swaps in my stash, so these were great additions!! She never fails to make colors just leap off the page!! I don't know what her process is, but her pieces are always smooth as butter to me and the colors just pop!! I'm not sure where the home on the postcard is, but I LOVE it! I'm a sucker for period homes and buildings and the UK has always been on my bucket list just to go visit period buildings and castles. I just have to show the close-ups of everyone's goodies:

LOVE the butterflies!

Pinks and butterflies just go together!

I have been coveting her tea bags!!! Yay me!!!!

Next out of the gate are my goodies from Jan!! I would love to be standing in that postcard! Just gorgeous! And I LOVE the ATC! when she was making them, I was secretly hoping I got one! LOL

Goodies from Jan!!

Watercolor goodness!!

Lastly are my yummy swaps from Jo and Annie!! They came together and it was such a joy to open! The card that Annie made was super cute and fun. She wrote a very clever poem on the inside, it was so sweet!  Jo's felted piece was amazing!! I have been following her daughter's felting for quite a few years (it obviously runs in the family! LOL) and have a purchase of one of her pieces on my bucket list! I can't imagine the time it took to do Jo, but it's simply gorge!

Goodies from Jo & Annie!!

Gorgeous card that Annie made

Annie's super cute watercolor & doodles

Jo's amazing felt ATC

Ladies, I can't express my joy and gratitude enough! I love each and every one of your creations and they each have a special spot in my ATC booklet.  The swaps are brilliant but the friendships with everyone in our Stamping Ground group means so much more!! THANK YOU!!!!!

Well, I think I have taken up about enough geographics today!  I will try my best to get around today, but I am FINALLY going to the doctor about this nonsense and I don't know about over the pond, but here in the states, when you go to the doctor, you wait forever in the "waiting room," and then they call you back to your room and then you "hurry up and wait" some more!!! So who knows how that adventure will be today!!

Again thank you all my wonderful friends for the happy mail love!! Have an awesome rest of the week all!!

Blessings